So here is a bit of local sports news and I just happen to have a picture of the two of them together. BJ Penn is going to guest star on Hawaii 5-0 and Orlando Duque is recovering following his third surgery.

I was reading BJ Penn’s first blog post on the Bleacher Report since he lost his last fight to Nate Diaz and one of the things that he revealed is that he landed a guest spot on “Hawaii 5-0”.

…I have been back in Hawaii for a while now, but I haven’t been doing much as far as athletics go. This is partly because I think I sprained my finger or something, so because of that I have just been kind of laying low and enjoying life…

…As I am working on this piece, I am on my way to Oahu. I was given a part in an episode of the hit TV Show, Hawaii 5.0, and I will be filming for the next few days on set. It’s really good timing to be out in Oahu because the president of RVCA, Pat Tenore, and his whole family have taken a vacation this week out there, so when I’m not filming I plan on going and hanging out with them…

The 36-year-old Colombian, who was taking part in a skydive in Hawaii, underwent successful surgery on Thursday, with the injury expected to keep him out of action for between three and six months.

It’s a major blow for Duque who had recently returned to some of his best form, but, if his determination to return from previous setbacks is anything to go by, then he will not be out of the water for long.

After winning the inaugural Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2009, Duque ended a testing year in 2010 as the runner-up to Gary Hunt.

Duque worked hard during the off-season to recapture his past form and returned to his dominant best at the start of this year, winning the first two events, in Rapa Nui and Mexico, and had hoped to make it a hat-trick of wins in Greece on May 22.

After more than 20,000 miles traveled, almost 200 three-second flights and 17,263.45 points awarded, the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series staged its final showdown at the Kawainui Falls on Hawaii’s Big Island.

In a spine-tingling competition, reigning World Series champion and Oahu resident Orlando Duque took his first season victory in front of the divers’ families and friends and handed over the title to Gary Hunt. This year’s dominator took four wins out of six and takes the crown from Colombia to England.

The event began with the pohaku that the divers had chosen last night being laid out at the top of the cliff as the rocks would be returned to where they initially were picked up from.

Kuhao Zane and others then prepared a little ceremony to return the rocks to the land.

Then a CRAZY kumu actually went out on the Red Bull Platform and blessed the actual event.

The competition then began in the jumping order that was chosen by the pohaku’s that they had chosen the night before. The order of the first jumps is from top to bottom, but after the first round, the person with the lowest score jumps first in the next round and they go in reverse order all the way until the highest scored jumper has jumped.

Orlando Duque, dominated the first round of dives.

The next round of dives Gary Hunt did an incredible dive that shot him from 8th place into 1st place.

Going into the final round, it was a real close race between Russia’s Artem Silchenko, Columbia/Hawaii’s Orlando Duque and Great Britains Gary Hunt.

Orlando Duque pulled off a fricking nuts jump on his final dive that gave him the close win over Hunt who place 2nd and Silchenko who got 3rd.

There were rumors that BJ Penn would make it to this event, however, he got caught tied down at a birthday party and didn’t make it until the event was over and he was quite sad that he had missed it, however, I walked him over to Orlando Duque and they had a short little conversation while I snapped these pictures of them together.

I actually heard that BJ wanted to jump off the platform but the Red Bull Liability factor wouldn’t allow.

As I rode to the top of the cliff with this years champion, Gary Hunt, I asked him how it felt to be the world champion and he said… “You know… it hasn’t really sunk in yet!”

Well today was the second day of practice before tomorrows Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship in Hilo, Hawaii.

The biggest news of the day, was that Russian diver Artem Silchenko finally arrived despite having difficulties with his visa.

All the other divers were stoked to see him as although these folks compete against each other, they are still close as family.

He obviously had a long flight and was very tired as one of his comrades asked him if he wanted a shot of vodka and he turned it down. They of course were shocked that the Russian would turn down a shot of vodka and asked him if he was alright!

I watched them practice for about an hour and scouted out locations where I could possibly take pictures at because the lighting makes it real difficult to get pictures from where the media will be staged.

I have the feeling I’ll be all over the place tomorrow.

The best location is going to be off limits tomorrow and that’s up by the actual platform.

The event has been moved up an hour in time due to the sunlight and the camera angles.

It’s pretty well known that diver Gary Hunt will be crowned this years winner as he has really taken this sport to new extremes.

Here Gary talks about the competition and the dives that he will attempt tomorrow:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLR5pP7hPIk]

I’m totally stoked this competition is happening here on the Big Island and the weather has been absolutely perfect for this… but can we get some dang ATV’s for these poor divers so they aren’t walking up the hill barefooted!

Tonights “Draw Party” at “Da Shack” is a private party only and I sure hope they have more then just Red Bull mixed drinks!

As usual, you can click on the pictures below multiple times to make them larger and larger.

I got to interview Orlando Duque who represents Colombia in this competition, however, he lives on Oahu over in Laie.

2009 World Champion Orlando Duque

Here is a short interview with Orlando Duque talking about the event:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8OnhDIZYsc]

The cliff divers were all super cool and easy to talk to and they all seemed super stoked to be in Hawaii!

The cliff divers all got rides back up the cliff

I was super stoked to get to ride in one of these vehicles with three of the crazy athletes. I filmed the entire ride from the bottom of the cliff to the top of the cliff so I think you guys might enjoy this video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtyH_64OTic]

I don’t know how these guys do it… I really felt like I had vertigo from the top of the cliff.

Orlando Duque looks over the lip of the platform

Frances Hassan Mouti cracked me up a bit but it was all serious when it was time for him to jump.

Hassan Mouti takes the plunge

Media from throughout the world was there today as I couldn’t understand half the words many folks were saying.

Hannah Daniels from the United Kingdoms at least spoke English as Hassan looks up at the leap he just did

Tonight there is a Luau that I will be attending shortly and tomorrow is more practice and then a “Draw Party” at Da Shack Restaurant to see what order the competitors will dive on the actual competition day.